The Great Local Debate

I think its time for the big guy to have his two cents worth on this airport business.

Personally, while I try to be loyal, Air New Zealand has never been for me the best air line to travel. Their policies are often to rigid and prices for short hops amazingly insane. For example, for the cost of a return flight from Hamilton to Wellington, I could get a flight from Auckland to Brisbane. Its cheaper to drive...it may be much longer but at least you get to see stuff.

Even when smaller competitors came in, Air New Zealand didn't do much except buy them out...this returning to the one air line biz we've always known. Other carriers like Virgin and Quantas tried domestic flights from the minor metros like Hamilton but eventually caved to popular demand.

A flight from Hamilton to Wellington this week would cost me anywhere from $275 return or $474 return. My car would cost me $140 return at MAXIMUM. 12 hours driving but hell, I don't mind. Lots of time to think, sing and view this great country of ours. Stop and smell the roses instead of the airline gas.

I do find it interesting though that flying from Auckland and playing around with some dates that I could fly from Auckland to Wellington from anywhere from $127 return to $490. Hows that possible? Its a greater distance, different plane, bigger city. But I guess a more travelled route with more custom.

And there in to me lies one of the core issues. PATRONAGE and FAIR/FARE PRICING!!!

Why would you want to travel from Hamilton? It costs more? Whether that was intentional or not I don't know, but it would be hard to think it wasn't. You would think that flying from Hamilton to Wellington would be cheaper considering overall in flight time it takes about 15 minutes less time to get there depending on the air craft. The Saab pencil planes vs the jets or the twin engine turbo props or the Boeing 737.

The Stuff.co.nz websites report which I think would also be in the Waikato Times said this.

But Air New Zealand Tasman-Pacific manager Glen Sowry rejected suggestions the airline had shafted Hamilton.

"Regrettably the route was not commercially sustainable," he said. "We did what we could to develop the market through low fares and specials but unfortunately customer demand did not make that possible".

I believe only half of this. While I think there was an element of commercial sustainability which forced their hand I think their efforts to market the low fares were poorly timed, extremely limiting and the travel windows were so not in line with the needs of the general market.

For example, I recall a number of times looking at grab a seat promotions, but looking at the travel windows, as in when the flights were available, middle of the week, before the crack of dawn or late in the night, were never for me ideal times to take the flights to see my family. If I took the flight 1 way say on a Tuesday, if I wanted the same price return I had to come back within a 72 hour span of time or else it was normal price...some $175. The attitude of Air New Zealand seemed to be here are the options...we are flying you...take it or leave it.

To me, its like a no win situation in the general scheme of things.

But here is my other side of the coin.

In the air port scheme of things...Hamilton is not the biggest, or the brightest airport. You land smack in the middle of the sialage growing dairy farming capital of the north island. Corn patches on either side of you. I don't know much about run way lengths and planes needs but I doubt you could safely land a 747-400 there. Maybe an Airbus A-320 could land there...but what is Hamilton International Airport rated for. I don't think anything much bigger. I could be wrong.

What carrier would come into Hamilton from an international destination? What is it worth to them...especially now? Who's flying anywhere unless they have too? If I were an international carrier I would say guarantee me patronage, and I will come in on this day, this day and this day. But then, thats a guarantee the city cannot give. How can it in all reality?

While I would love to see it succeed, it's more convenient for me to go to Auckland and fly from there. I've got no problems with doing that! It's more of a gate way than Hamilton will be in the near future.

As for protesting against Air New Zealand? My wife is heading home for her brothers wedding in April and shes on Korean Air. Our last experience with Air New Zealand was hardly endearing to us so there we are.